Tri-Conic borrows from City of Port Alberni

The Tri-Conic Challenge is set to receive city funding to tide it over until it receives its Canada 150 grant next spring.

The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce requested a $25,000 line of credit from the city in order to pay for up front costs from the Tri-Conic Challenge,

The funding would be used toward “the marketing and general costs expected in the coming months… these monies would be returned to the city up on receipt of the full funding from Canada 150,” a letter from chamber of commerce executive director Bill Collette reads.

The Tri-Conic Challenge is a staged triathlon scheduled to take place over Canada Day weekend next year. It will coincide with Port Alberni golden anniversary of amalgamation and with Canada’s 150th anniversary. The event has received an $80,000 grant from the Canada 150 fund.

According to director of finance Cathy Rothwell, while the Community Charter typically prevents providing assistance to businesses and entities that, like the chamber, have connections to businesses, Collette’s request qualifies as an exception.

“The purpose that the chamber of commerce wishes to borrow for does meet Section 25 [of the Community Charter], which specifically states that gaining knowledge and increasing public awareness about the community’s history and heritage,” said Rothwell.

“We’ve got the train, the waterbomber and the Francis Barkley.”

Coun. Jack McLeman said he had no issues with lending the chamber the money.

“We have provided lines of credit to organizations in the past. What [the chamber] is putting on is very good for the city.”

City council authorized a $25,000 no interest line of credit for the event. The money is to be repaid upon receipt of the Canada 150 grant.

The chamber also requested $10,000 in city sponsorship funding but was redirected to the community investment program.